The service caters to people who like dogs but just don't have the time to take care of them. The customers ABC interviewed seemed happy, but the ASPCA thinks it's not healthy for the dogs.
Buchwald [senior vice president of the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center and Mobile Clinic Program] said it's not healthy for dogs to live transient lifestyles and bounce between owners. She said dogs that don't form a strong bond with one family often end up becoming aloof and self destructive.A FlexPetz customer countered that it was unfair to deprive some people of the pleasures of owning a pet."I think it's great that they understand marketing, and I think it's great that they try to fulfill that need, but it's not good for the dog," Buchwald said.
"It's a little unfair for people to not have the opportunity to own a pet, and this is a nice way of doing it," she said, "I feel like I'm being a more responsible pet owner by doing this and not leaving a dog at home alone."And it's such a deal, too. (Cough.)"I was a bit leery at first, and I had my questions," she added, "But I'm definitely going to stay a member."
Love on a Lease: Renting Man's Best Friend [ABC News]
(Photo:FlexPetz)
What a horrible way to treat an animal.
]]>I wouldn't have a problem with this idea if the company were using shelter animals and weren't renting them out constantly (once or twice before adoption) And also if they were donating money to the local ASPCA. However, this idea is rediculous. Want a pet? MOVE WHERE YOU CAN OWN ONE! Seriously, you chose to live where you do and if a pet was a big enough priority you should have moved to a place where you could have one. My dad works 14 hour days during wheat and cotton harvest, and he still has time to play with his "third child" and keep her happy.
I miss having a dog like you wouldn't beleive. Unfortunately I have to repair my backyard fence before I can get another.
]]>@cde: I was thinking the same thing, this would be a great move for someone who wants to hunt for women in central park.
but what a ripoff, oh well, that's what you get for not taking care of your own pet.
]]>I think this is a wonderful idea. This way I can choose my outfits for the week based on the dog sI order, how chic is that!!!
]]>@EtherealStrife: No, but thats why I KNOW it was some guy that came up with the idea. Dog = Chickmagnet = Guys wanting a dog for the chickmagnetness = Guys willing to pay just for that ability but without the effort.
@Hossofcourse: Time for some e-consumer activism. Anyone around the company mind going in with a wire?
]]>Id love to read the contract. What if someone let the dog jump off a balcony, or it was killed in a similar situation. Think of all the lost revenue the doggie rental company could claim
]]>i feel like this is a cruel thing to do to a pet...moving from house to house constantly. i could be wrong, but i feel like this can really hurt an animal.
]]>In addition to the excellent suggestions above for volunteering your local animal shelter or rescue organization, you can also consider being a foster parent for dogs or cats.
This means you take them into your home for a few weeks, such as to let them get over a cold or let them get rid of some stress, and then taken them back once they're ready to be adopted. It's a lot of fun and can save lives. Check out your local shelter or rescue organization for details.
]]>No thanks! I'd stick with volunteering at the SPCA or any local no-kill shelter(s) to get my "I want a puppy!" fix.
At least that way, the dog gets the opportunity to become better socialized towards humans and other dogs without being passed around from person to person for a short-term rental.
]]>I wonder where these animals are warehoused in between rentals. No pet owner who loved their animal would allow it to be shuffled around like this, and if you don't love the animal I doubt you're letting it sleep on your couch on off days. If these dogs are kennelled for days on end, with their only release being "rented", yeah, this isn't going to end well. Someone's going to get bitten, and then it'll be the dog's fault and they'll be euthanized.
I really, really hate people sometimes.
]]>And that is why I love them...
]]>Stick with the job hunt, you'll find something.
]]>Terrible, terrible concept. I'm not your typical animal rights person, but in this case, I would say it's pretty close to animal abuse. While I really don't care for dogs, even the dumbest dogs know the difference between different people and probably would become very anti-social if passed around like a high school cheerleader in a football locker room.
]]>and @motoraway: damn straight
]]>Can I get my blind, geriatric, insulin dependant Pug into this program? It's about time the bitch started earning her keep!
]]>It wasn't until we sat down and laid down rules that were universal (no jumping on the furniture, morning walks, feeding schedule, she sees one person hand her leash to a person from the other house before she goes home, etc. etc) that she started to behave and perk up again.
I really feel sorry for the dogs involved in this, because that kind of things is really stressful for them. Especially if their treatment varies significantly between homes, they can get so confused.
]]>I like the heading above the picture - "New and Exciting Products".
I guess that to the people who would rent a dog in the first place, it is a new and exciting product. I am continually amused at what people will buy (or rent) and what they are willing to pay.
]]>The Flexpetz website says that if a member's situation changes and they become able to own full-time, they are happy to discuss adoption. So, does that make this a rent-to-own operation?
]]>I mean, if it were something like, "Don't have the time, money, or the patience to conceive, give birth, and raise a kid until they're 18? Well, how about renting one for a weekend!" and then when people say it's cruel, have someone whine, "It's not fair that people who don't have time to have a kid don't get to have one!" Boo f*cking hoo. Volunteer at a daycare then.
]]>With all the pets that are waiting to be put down in shelters all over the country they will now have paid competition to compete with for their mercy.
]]>isn't this why God made Chia Pets?
]]>What? No one wants to rent cats?!
This. Means. War!
Or, this. means. Phew!
]]>I volunteer to walk dogs every weekend for the local no-kill shelter. And no, they don't charge me for the privelage of playing with the puppies.
]]>It's not healthy for kids to live transient lifestyles and bounce between parents. She said kids that don't form a strong bond with one family often end up becoming aloof and self destructive.
]]>You DO have the opportunity to own a pet. Take the money you're spending renting dogs, go to an animal shelter, and just get a dog!
What she really means is that it's unfair to expect her have to deal with having a dog all the time just because she wants one.
Oh, I SO wanna say something that would get flagged!
]]>"It's a little unfair for people to not have the opportunity to own a pet..."It is my constitutional right to own/rent a pet and pay out the nose for it! Why would you deprive me of such things? It's unpatriotic!]]>
I googled "rent-a-pet" and came up with this program in St Louis:
Stray Rescue's Rent-a-Pet Program
NEW! We have many dogs participating in our new Rent-A-Pet Program. With this program you can foster a pet over the weekend. We supply the pet, food, bowls, leashes, everything!
Have you ever considered fostering a pet, but you weren't quite sure about making a long-term commitment? Have you ever wanted to take home a prospective adoptive pet to see how he fits in with your family? Well now you can! With Stray Rescue's Rent-A-Pet Program, you can take a pet home with you for the weekend. This is a perfect way to try out fostering or adopting a pet (too bad you can't do this with relatives!)
You get to see what fostering is like, while at the same time, helping these wonderful dogs to see what it's like to live with a family and have fun. We supply the food, leashes, bowls, toys, everything; all you supply is the love! There is no charge to rent a pet. Pick up is on Friday nights between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Drop off is on Sunday between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. or Monday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Other times and days can be arranged.
To participate in the program, fill out our foster application, and check the box marked "Rent-A-Pet Program". We will be adding a special application for the program within the next few days.
Listen to the Weekend America report on our 'Rent-A-Pet' program.
Thanks so much for your help and support!!
]]>"It's a little unfair for people to not have the opportunity to own a pet..."
Could someone explain to me how this is unfair? Being born without arms - that's unfair, in the cosmic sense of things. But being unable to own a pet is almost entirely a result of the would-be owner's choices in terms of a job or residence.
]]>@joemono: Great idea. They can call it "Petflix."
Seriously how screwed up must someone be to think this is a good idea?!? These animals are going to go insane. Also, that is an exorbitant amount of money.
]]>@drgirlfriend: Why thank you!
]]>I wonder if I could patent this?
]]>My dog walker is not going to be happy when I break the news to her that I'm going to start charging her for renting my dog...
]]>One of the best parts of pet ownership is the bond you share and grow with your pet. This is probably the worst way to do it.
Overall though, it sounds like their way of 'spinning' a pet babysitting business, only that there's multiple owners of the same dog and the business owner is actually getting rich.
Poor dogs though. It sounds pretty cruel.
]]>Baby sit a friend's cat or dog when they go on vacation for Christ's sakes. Yet one more scheme targeted at people with more money than sense.
]]>For the bargain price of $20 a month, I'll let you borrow my dog any time you want! You can pick up his crap! You can let him drag you after squirels! He can chew your furniture!
Honestly, how can kennels charge me and arm and a leg to watch my dog when this company is doing EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE and making a fortune?!
]]>If you want some dog time offer to take your friends dog to the park or something.
]]>Also. That is one massively long tongue.
]]>Disposable pets! Revolutionary idea! Let's encourage people to reduce their currently-meager attention spans even more!
The only good thing about this is that perhaps this will keep "certain people" from adopting pets, getting tired of them, and dumping them in a shelter.
And even then. On the whole, that's not such a good thing to say.
]]>p.s. I mean stinky in the best way. Snako above is right. The dogs that really NEED you are out there and you're doing a far better service for them and the community in general by volunteering.
]]>@Snakeophelia: This is the best idea I have heard. Much better then renting a dog. heck, you can even take shelter ogs for walks at the park. Sure, they probably aren't trained as well as these but it would still be a blast. I think you just convinced me to go play with dogs at the shelter. (I want one really really bad but cant because my building doesn't allow animals, and I think dogs should have lots of space to run around and I cant afford a big house yet)
]]>Someplace in Aspen has these deal going too. Here's a better concept with the same result: Some animal shelters will let you visit on the weekends and walk their dogs.
Maxfund in Denver for example does a quick training class. You pop in any weekend, hand them your keys and/or license, and take a dog that needs some attention and exercise in the park or streets.
The caged up dogs get some well needed love, and it's a good way to let people bond with the dogs in hopes they might give them a home.
I'd hit up a stinky rescue center to take a "day dog" before I'd PAY at some posh place. Any other cities have this?
James..
]]>@howie_in_az: It's too bad Southwest changed their boarding policy. Otherwise, you could rent a kid or two and board first!
]]>I don't have time to care for a horse full time, but I would certainly pay someone else to do it.
However, I would never rent a dog.
My four month old German Shorthair is a my second full time job.
]]>This is the most bizzare thing I've ever heard of. I can only imagine how schizo those dogs must be.
]]>Or better yet, if your furniture is too nice and your workday is too long for a pet, why don't you volunteer at an animal shelter on the weekends? Trust me, if you just want to be around dogs for a few hours on the weekend, there are plenty of local shelters desperate for your help! But I guess that doesn't allow the selfish pet-owner-wannabees to walk around in the park with an exotic breed (that someone else trained) and pretend it's theirs. And we all know that's the sort of person who will use this service.
]]>That being said, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Dogs are social, pack creatures, just like humans. What do you think would happen to a kid if he/she was passed around like this. Better yet, what do you think happens to kids who are already bouncing around in foster homes?
]]>Jeez Louise, Darwin was right.
]]>Easily one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of.
]]>A) God, that costs a lot - just borrow a friend's dog...
B) They're right, it's horrible for the dog. Dogs are pack animals - this can't be good. Any well-trained dog is trained to follow an "alpha human".
C) Wait until one of their dogs mauls a toddler...
]]>Next up: Doggy Timeshares!
]]>